Go-cart.



No. 882,895. PATBNTED MAR. 24

0.1mm. GO-GART.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 28. 19Q7.

Z-SHEETS-SHEBT l.

No. 882,895. PATENTED MAR. 24, 1908.

o. KURZ.

GO-CHART.

AP LIGATION FILED FEILZ .1 0

P 8 9 7 ZflHBETS-SHEBT 2.

Witnesses Inventor,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OTTO KURZ, OF STURGIS, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO STURGIS STEEL GO-GART COMPANY, OF STURGIS, MICHIGAN.

comm.

Patented March 24, 1908.

Application filed February 28, 1907. Serial No. 359,788.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Orro KURZ, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residin. at the village of Sturgis, county of St. J osep 1, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in .Go-Carts, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in childrens carriages.

It relates particularly to improvements in folding carriages, such as are commonly designated as go-carts, although certain features are adapted for and desirable for use in other relations.

The objects of this invention are, first, to provide in a childs carriage of the class described an improved spring. Second, to provide an improved adjustable foot-rest with means for'supporting and locking it in its adjusted positions. Third, to provide in a structure of the class described an improved wheel lock. Fourth, to provide in astructure of the class described an improved lockmg means for holding the carriage in its 001- lapsed or folded position. Fifth, to provide in a carriage an im roved means for retaining the wheels upon the axles.

Further objects, and objects: relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and point ed out in the claims.

A structure-embodying the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming part of this specification, in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved folding carriage, one of the forward wheels being removed and the adjustment of the foot-rest being indicated -b dotted lines. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail side' elevation showing the foot-rest in its unlocked position, so that it can be adjusted either up or down. Fig. '3 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the spring device for one of the frame members by which the rear axle is supported, taken on aline corresponding toline 33 of Fig. 4... r Fig. 4 is .a cross section thereof taken on a line corresponding to line 4-4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail side elevation of my improved carriage shown folded or collapsed, the wheels being removed from one side to better show the arrangement of the parts. Fig. 6 is a detaibside elevation, showing details of the foot-rest and means for holding the same. Fig. 7 is a detail front elevation of the structure when folded or collapsed. Fig. 8 is a detail section taken on a line corresponding to line 8-8 of Fig. 6. Fig. 9 is an enlarged section taken on a line corresponding to llpe 9-9 of Fig. 5, showing the locking means for retaining the parts in their collapsed position. Fig. 10 is an enlarged section taken on a line corresponding to line 10-10 of Fig. 1, showin the means for retaining the wheel locking Fever in its locking position. Fig. 11 is a detail section taken on a line correspondin to .line 11-11 of Fig. 1, showing details of t e axle. Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail, the retaining ring for the wheels .being shown in section. Fig. 13 is a sectional view throu h the axle, the retaining ring being shown in full lines. In the drawing,the sectional views are taken lookinginthe direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines, and similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawing, the side pieces 1 of the frame are relatively fixed or rigid and a are provided with a handle at their upper ends. These side pieces are preferablycurved downwardly and forwardly at their lower ends. On the lower ends ,of the side iec es 1 is the axle for the forward wheels. he side pieces 2 of the frame are pivoted to the side pieces 1, and-are adapted to swing thereon in collapsing the carriage. The side pieces 2- are made up of sections 5 and .6 connected by a coupling 7. The coupling 7 is provided with acylindrical portion .at the top, below which are side parallel portions adapted to receive theends of the sections 5 and 6 which are secured thereon by rivets 8.

The coiled spring 9 is arranged in the oasing above the piece sections and is adapted "to engage the shoulders 10 formed thereon.

The casing 7 is shaped to receive the spring, so that the springlis retained by means of the shoulders 10. T e casing is preferably made up of a piece of sheet metal folded at the top with its upper part bent into a cylindrical form to receivethe coiled spring and its sides brought parallel at the bottom to receive the ends of the side bar sections. The lower edges of the coupling are preferably shaped and turned inwardly atll to form stops for limiting the movement of the sections therein. By this arrangement, a spring su port is provided for the rear axle. It has een quite a common practice to sup ort the rear axle by blade sprin s. It is practice to; e very difficult and expensive to produce and arrange these s rings so that the springs on both sides shal be exactly alike, and, if they are not alike, the wheels do not track.

The upper endof the side piece 2 is engaged in a longitudinal slot in the side rails 4, which is pivoted at their rear ends to the handle bars. The seat is carried by the f arms 12,- the 11 per ends of which are pivoted to' the vertica y-arran ed links 3, the pivots 1 side pieces 2 are swung on their so The side rails 4 are provided with upwardly projecting portions 21 at their rear ends aying outwardly projecting lugs22 thereon adapted to engage suitable holes 23 formed therefor in the inside of the side pieces 1; see Figs. 1, 5 and 9. The projections 21 close inside of the handle.

The lugs or projections 22 snappin into the holes provided therefor effective y retains the parts, and, at the same time, they are readily disengaged by merely swinging the upper ends of the side bars 20 forward. The arms by which the foot-rest is carried are adapted to be swung into the position shown by full lines in Fi 1, or to the upper position shown by dotted 'nes therein. The

' foot-rest is locked in either of its adjusted .positions and supported inits up er or elevated position by means of the ba' -like lever 15, the arms 13 of which are pivoted to the su orting arms of the foot-rest.

e links 14 are pivotally connected to the arms 13 of the lever and to the lower ends of the links 3. The ivots for the links 14 are so arranged that, t e pivots for the links to the lever 15 are swung past the center, both when the lever is swung down against the' arms 12, as shown in Fig. 1, or when swung up against the same, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1. To easily enable the securing of this result, the arms 13 of the levers are bent. By this means, the foot-rest is very rigidly supported and locked in either posltion. When it is desired to adjust the same, the lever 15 is swung upwardly or downound, however, in

ceases wardly, as the case may be, according to the position inwhich the foot-rest then is, to break the joint. The foot-rest may then be swung or adjusted freely, the same being locked in its adjusted position by swinging the lever into place against the supporting arms;

To automatically fold the foot-rest, when the structure is collapsed, I rovide the same with rearwardly projecting ngers 17 and 18 adapted to engage the trip 19 provided therefor on the side rails 4;" of the seat, thereby swinging the foot rest on its pivots, as clearly appears in Fig. 6. This, however, only takes place when the foot-rest islocked in its lower osition, as indicated in Fig. 1.

The whee s are retained. upon the axles 25 by rings 27, which are clamped in suitable annular grooves formed therefor in the axles; see Figs. 11, 12 and 13. This eifectively secures the wheels uponlthe axles, obviating the necessity of drilling the axles to receive cotter pins, or threading the same to receive nuts, as has been the common practice.

It is obvious that the rings 27 maybe quickly applied and also the forming of said groove is a simple operation, thereby greatly reducing the expense of manufacture and also ggOVldiDg a superior structure.

A ther advantage of securing the wheels in this manner is that the rings are free to revolve with the wheels in case there should be suflicient friction of the wheels thereon. I also provide a locking lever 28 for one of the wheels. This lever is'formed of spring metal and is pivoted at 29 on one of the side ieces 2 of the frame, and its lower end ormed into a shoe ada ted to engage the tire of one of the rear wheels. The lever is formed of spring material, and its upper end is kinked outwardly at 31 to form a finger piece. The brake is provided with an inwardly projecting lug 32 adapted to engage in the suitable hole 33 provided therefor in the side piece. By this simple method, -I secure a simple and effective wheel lock or brake, which can be readily applied or released.

I have illustratedand' described my improved collapsing carriage in detail in the form preferred by me on 1 account of its structural simplicity and convenience. I am, however, aware that it is capable of considerable variation in structural details without departing from my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new anddesireto secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination of downwardly, forwardly projecting fixed side pieces, having a handle at their upper ends; adjustable side ieces arranged across and pivoted to said ed side pieces; axles carried by said side pieces,- side rails slotted to receive the upper vertically-arranged links, the said links having their pivots so arranged relative to the pivots of said bail-like lever as to lock the toot-rest in either adjusted position.

2. The combination of a foot-rest; pivoted supporting arms therefor; means for looking said foot-rest in its adjusted positions, comprising a bail-shaped lever pivoted to the said foot-rest supporting arms, links pivoted to said lever, the said links having their pivots so arranged relative to the pivots of said bail-shaped lever as to lock the foot rest in either adjusted osition.

3. The combinationo thefixed side pieces; adjustable side ieces arranged across and pivoted to sai fixed side pieces; axles carried by said fixed side pieces; side rails to which said adjustable side pieces are slid-" ably connected, pivotally mounted on said fixed side pieces; vertically arranged links pivoted at the forward end of said side rails, connected 'at their upper ends to said fixed side pieces; a seat carried by said side rails; afoot rest; ivoted supporting arms therefor; means or looking said foot rest in its adjusted position comprising a lever pivoted to said foot rest; and 'a linkpivoted to said lever and to said vertically arranged link, said link having its ivot so arranged relative to the pivot of sai lever as to lock the foot rest in its adjusted position. i

4. In a carriage, the combination with an axle, of a support for said axle made u of sections, the meeting ends of the said sections being cut away on their upper edges to form shoulders; a con ling for said sections, having a cylindrica portion at the top and parallel side portions-adapted to receive the ends of said sections, the edges of the said side portions being V-shaped and provided with inturned flanges .forming stops for limiting the movement of the said sections therein; rivets for ivotally securing said sections in said coup in and a coiled spring arranged in the cylindrical portion of said coupling between the shoulders on said sections, for the purpose specified.

5. In a carriage, the combination with an axle, of a support for said axle made up of sections, the meeting ends of the said sections being cut away on their upper edges to form shoulders; a coupling for said sections having a cylindrical portion at the top and parallel side portions adapted to receive the ends of said sections; stops for limitlngthe movement of said sections in sa1d couphng;

rivets for pivotally securin said sections in said coupling; and a co'ile spring arranged in the cylindrical portion of said coupling between the shoulders on said sections, for the purpose specified.

6. In a carriage, the combination with an axle, of a support for said axle'made up of sections, the nfiet'ing ends of the said sections being cut away to form shoulders; a coupling for said sections, having a cylindrical portion and parallel side portions adapted to receive the ends of said sections; rivets for pivotally securing said sections in said coupling; and a coiled sprin arranged in the cylindrical rtion of-sai coupling between the shoul ers on said sections, for the purpose specified. r

7. In a carriage, the combination with an axle, of a support for said axle made up of sections; a coupling for said sections, having I a cylindrical portion and parallel side portions adapted to receive the ends of said sections, the edges of the said side portions being V-shaped and provided with intnrned flanges forming stops for limiting the movement of the said sections therein; rivets for ivotally securing said sections in said con ing; and a coiled spring arranged in t e cylindrical portion of said coupling to engage said sections, for the purpose specified.

' 8. In a carriage, the combination with an axle, of a'support for said axle made up of sections a coupling for said sections, having a'cylindrical-portion and parallel side portions adapted to receive the ends of said sections; stops for' limiting the movement of said sections in said coupling; rivets forpivotally securing said sections in said coupling;

and a coiled spring arranged'in the cylindrical: portion OfSilld coupling to engage said sections, for the purpose specified.

9. In a-carriage, the combination with an axle, of a support for said axle-made up of sections; a.coupling for said sections, having a cylindrical portion and parallel side portions adapted to receive the ends of said sections; rivets for pivotally securing said sections in said coupling; and a coiled sprin arranged in the cylindrical portion of sai coupling to engage said sections, for the purpose s ecified.

10. n a carriage, the combination with a bod of an axle; a support for said axle, ma e up of sectionspne of the sections being connected to said body and the other to said a coiled spring arranged in said coupling to engage sa1d sections, for the purpose speci-' 11. In a carriage, the combination with a body, of an axle; a sup ort for said axle, made up of sections one o the sections being connected to said body and the other to said axle; a coupling for said sections adapted to receive the ends thereof; rivets for pivotally securing said sections insaid coupling; and a spring arranged in said coupling to engagesaid sections, for the purpose specifiedl 12. In a folding carriage, the combination with the fixed side pieces; adjustable sidepieces pivoted thereon; Wheels carried by said side pieces; side rails to which said adjustable side pieces are slidably. connected pivoted to said fixed side pieces; a seat car ried by said side rails; upwardly extending projections at the rear ends of said side rails adapted to close between said fixed side pieces when said seat is folded, said projections having outwardly projecting lugs thereon; and depressions in said side pieces adapted'to be engaged by said lugs whereby the said side rails adapted to engage said fixed ceases side pieces wherebythe parts are automatically locked in their folded position.

14. In a carriage, the combination of a body; an axle; a sup ort for said axle com-;

prising a pair of mem ers, one of said mem bers being connected to the body and the other to the axle; a coupling to which said members are pivotally connected, and a spring connection for said members, adapted to be placed under stress on the movement of the said members on their pivots for the purpose specified.

1.5. In a carriage, the combination with a body, of an axle; a support therefor com prising a pair of members one of said memers being connected to the body and the other to the axle; and a coupling by which said members are connected including a spring ada ted to hold said members in theirnorma position and to be placed under stress on'the movement of said members relative to each other, for the purpose specified.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of tWo witnesses.

OTTO KURZ. [L. s.] 

